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While the City Council just voted for a greener future, the students at Franklin Elementary are speaking up to ensure that same vision reaches their own playground.
This week, over 70 students from grades 2-5 held a powerful, student-led protest during lunch recess, marching with homemade signs and chanting "Save Our Grass!" Their message was clear: they don't want to play on a plastic carpet that reaches 170°F—they want the living, breathing field they have now.
By the end of the day, a student-led petition had already gathered 162 signatures. These kids are proving that you are never too young to advocate for your health and the environment.
The District is Falling Behind
The City of Santa Monica has already set the standard by rejecting synthetic turf in city parks. It is time for the SMMUSD School Board to listen to the very students they serve. We cannot allow our schools to become "heat islands" while our city parks transition back to natural grass.
Take Action Now
We need to back these students up. The School Board needs to hear from parents, neighbors, and residents that we support a "Natural Grass First" policy for all SMMUSD campuses.
Use the guide to:
Email the Board: Use our templates to demand a "Special Turf Forum" this Spring.
Spread the Word: Share the Franklin student story to show the Board that this movement is growing.
BCC Us: Send a copy to [email protected] so we can track our community’s impact.
The kids have started the rally—now it’s our turn to finish it. Let’s make sure the grass stays green for the next generation.
-The Pro Green Space Working Group & Coalition for Resilient Santa Monica
Join Our Community Effort
This is a community-powered movement, and your voice is critical. Here are two simple ways you can get involved right now:
1. Stay Informed: The best way to help is to stay up-to-date. Subscribe to our newsletter below 👇 for key updates, new research, and simple, high-impact ways to make your voice heard.
2. Share Your Voice: Take our 3-minute community survey. We need to hear your experiences with our local parks and fields. Your input gives us the data we need to show our leaders what the community really wants